What
is the difference between an allogeneic and an autologous
transplant?
Allogeneic
transplants require a matched sibling, matched unrelated
donor, or cord blood product and are usually done for
leukemias or certain anemias. Autolgous transplants
are those where a patient donates to himself or herself.
These are usually done for lymphoma, Hodgkin’s Disease,
multiple myeloma, and solid tumors such as breast, ovarian,
and testicular cancer.
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Am
I allowed to have visitors while I am undergoing a transplant?
Yes,
we encourage family members or close friends to visit
daily. We find that the patients who do the best are
those who have visitors who help motivate them to do
what is expected with their daily activities. Visitors
should not visit if they are sick, have a temperature,
or have a productive cough. The patient’s children may
visit if they are healthy.
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Who
will do the transplant?
At
Loyola University Medical Center there are several transplant
doctors. One of these physicians along with a team of
doctors, bone marrow coordinators, nurse practitioners,
a case manager, clinical psychologist and social worker
will follow you throughout the transplant.
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Am
I in isolation?
For
those patients who receive bone marrow from a donor
(allogeneic), more protection is required after the
transplant. Allogeneic patients must take certain precautions
for 100 – 120 days after the transplant. Autologous
patients are restricted for a shorter period of time,
generally about 30 days post transplant. You will be
given specific isolation instructions depending on the
type of transplant performed.
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What
is a bone marrow transplant?
Bone
marrow transplant is a type of transfusion that replaces
diseased or damaged bone marrow with new bone marrow.
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How
long will I be in the hospital?
High
dose chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy
is done in the first week prior to transplant. After
the stem cells are infused (transplanted), it takes
approximately 10-14 days for an autologous transplant
and 14-28 days for an allogeneic transplant until the
immune system recovers sufficiently for you to go home.
If you are receiving an allogeneic transplant, all of
your care will occur in the hospital. A typical length
of stay is four to six weeks. The majority of autologous
transplants are not admitted to the hospital. Instead,
patients receive 8 to 12 hours of care daily in the
outpatient setting and are discharged to their home
or local hotel each night under the care of a family
member or friend. On average, outpatients report daily
for 17 – 21 days.
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Will
I go home with my central venous catheter?
A
central venous catheter is necessary for blood draws
and possible home transfusion. Occasionally, patients
need platelet or red blood cell transfusions at home
until their blood counts fully recover. The catheter
will be removed when you blood counts and immune system
have stabilized (generally 30 days after transplant
for autologous and 100 days post transplant for allogeneic).
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Will
I be in isolation at home?
Yes,
you should continue to isolate yourself at home for
30 days after an autologous transplant and at least
100 days after an allogeneic transplant. If children
are present in the household, they (or you) must find
other living arrangements (relatives’ or friends’ home,
hotel, apartment) for the period of isolation. You should
limit visitors. When someone does visit, they should
wash their hands and put on a mask. People who have
a fever, cold or flu should not visit. You may not go
out into crowded areas (shopping malls, food stores,
or movie theaters). We do encourage you to put a mask
on and take walks outside, weather permitting.
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When
can I go back to work?
When
your blood counts and immune system have returned to
a normal range you can resume your lifestyle. For most
autologous patients this happens approximately two months
after transplant. Allogeneic transplants may not return
to work for at least 120 days, most typically four to
six months after the transplant.
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Related
Links
Transplantation
Services
Bone Marrow Transplantation
BMT Clinical Update Newsletter
Bone
Marrow Transplant Brochure 
(2380K)
|
Indications/Exclusions